Atomizer



Jan. 31;, 19674 H. scHTlNG ATOMIZER Filed March 4, 1965 United States Patent @dice 3,301,491 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 3,301,491 ATOMHZER Herbert Stichting, Vienna, Austria, assigner -to Hoerbiger Ventilwerke Aktiengesellschaft, Vienna, Austria Filed Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 437,100 Claims priority, application Austria, Mar. 11, 1964, A 2,098/64 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-338) This inventionrel-ates to an atomizer, in particular for lubricants, comprising a `container for the material to be atomized having a filling-hole closed by a plug, and an atomizer head with a port including a restrictor and communicating in front of the restrictor, as viewed in the direction of flow, via `a connecting passage with the container.

Such atomizers are generally used to produce a line oil mist in compressed-'air lines for the purpose of lubricating the compressed-.air devices connected therewith, the lubricant being delivered from the container to the compressed-air port provided in the atomizer head. For the purpose, the interior of the container is charged with the pressure medium above the material to be atomized via the connecting passage preceding the restrictor, so that the material to be atomized is directed to the port via a line terminating in or behind the restrictor. As a result of the pressure charge bearing on the container, refilling of an atomizer in operation with material to be atomized vis diicult because the pressure medium flowing through the connecting passage into the container, when the filling-hole is open, emerges from the iillin-g-hole carrying some of the material to be atomized withit, making it practically impossiblefor the container to be lled with liquid. On the other hand, periodic stop-l ping of the atomizer operation is generally undesirable since as a result, the devices connected with the atomizer are also put out of operation.

In conventional atomizers of the type hereabove described relilling of the atomizer during operation is ren.- dered possible by closing the connecting passage by means of an appropriate valve while the material'is being poured in through the lling hole, so that t-he pressure medi-um is prevented from flowing from the port into the con@ tainer. Although the positive actuation of this valve by means of the till plug via -a swinging arm in these conventional devices ensures dependable operation of the valve, this design has certain shortcomings both from the viewpoint of construction and that of operation. The` valves are attached freely accessible from the container tothe atomizer head, so that they become easily clogged by oil particles and such impurities yas may be carried and actuated in the opening direction by means of a swinging arm pivoted on the special housing and subject to the `action of the container end Vof the plug of th filling-hole.

Preferably the valve communicates with the connecting passage via a bore providedy in the screw securing the special housing of the valve to the atomizer head.

vThe valve used according to the invention is easy to produce at low cost together with its housing as seperate from the atomizer and may be simply added to existing atomizersrat a later stage. In addition, the atomizer may be used as required or without a special device for the ready refilling with the material to be atomized, without any modification of lits design. From the viewpoint of operation, the safe accommodation of the valve in a special housing olTers the additional advantage that the material to be atomized is not allowed to penetrate -into` the valve, causing cloggingI or fouling of the latter.

In order for the v alve according to the invention to be used also in conjunction with such types of `atomizers where the screw including the connecting passage can be inserted in the atomizer head `on both sides of the restrictor of the port as required, thereby reversing the direction of ow through the port, the invention yprovides for two bearing supports for pivoting the swinging arm attached to the valve housing, the swinging arm being mounted on one of the two bearing .supports yas required, depending on the location ofthe housing on the atomizer head. Accordingly, the valve housing can lbe secured to the atomizer head in two different positions either upside down or vice-versa, the swinging arm terminating in both instances below the refilling-hole.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following description of an example of an atomizer for lubricants according to the invention for the lubrication of compressed-air-devices with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: f

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an atomizer on line I-I of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2.is another cross-sectional View on line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an inverted-plan view of the atomizer head, and 1 FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a type of valve used according to the invention on an enlarged scale, FIG. 4 being a top-plan view and FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view on line V-V of FIG. 4.

along Iby the pressure medium, as -a result of which the i operation of the whole atomizer is jeopardized.

It is the object of the invention to impr-ove upon the design of conventional atomizers `and to avoid the drawbacks of the latter. Accordingly, the invention provides for improved means enabling the container to be retilled without interrupting the flow of fluid through the atomizer.

This invention consists in -an atomizer, in particular for lubricants, comprising a container for the material to be atomized having a filling-hole closed by a plug, and an atomizer head with `a port including a restrictor and communicating in front of the restrictor, as viewed in the direction of flow, via la connecting passage with the container, the connecting passage being -controlled by means of a valve which is spring-loaded in the closing direction, the valve being accommodated in a special housing secured to the atomizer head by means of a screw The atomizer as illustrated comprises 'a container 1 for the material to be atomized, an atomizer head 2 located above the container 1 and a drip cowl 3 mounted on top of the Iatomizer head and preferably made of some transparent material. Inside the atomizer head 2 a through-port 4 is provided for the air to be supplied to the compressed air devices requiring lubrication, the said port 4 presenting at both ends thereof threads for the connection of the compressed-sair lines Iand comprising a restrictor 5 in the middle thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, air passes from left to right through the port 4 communicating with the interior of the container 1 via a connecting passage 6 in front of the restrictor 5, `as viewed in the direction of the air flow, so that the pressure prevailing in this area of the port 4 impinges upon the oil level in the container 1.

From the container 1 `a standpipe 7 extends in `an upward direction, the said standpipe being equipped vwith a non-return valve (not shown) in a manner known per se, and*as shown in FIG. Z-connected to a duct 9 via a throttle adjustable by means of a screw 8, from which a duct 10 recessed lin the drip cowl 3 extends and terminates in the cavity 11 of the drip cowl 3. The cavity 11 communicates via a duct 12 having `a funnelshaped enlargement on top with the restrictor 5 of the port 4. Due to the pressure prevailing in the container 1 Iwhich is greater than the pressure in the restrictor 5, oil is delivered via the standpipe 7 and the adjoining ducts 9, 10 and `12 into the restrictor 5 where it is atomized .and sprayed into the passing air. The amount of oil supplied can be set #by means of the screw 8.

As appears from FIG. 2, a filling-hole 13 is provided in the atomizer head 2 for the purpose of refilling the container 1 with lubricant, the said filling-hole being hermetically closed by means of a plug 14. Since 'the interior of the container 1 is pressurized during the operation of the atomizer, the connecting passage 6 between the port 4 and the container 1 may be shut by means lof a closing member, so that when the connecting passage 6 is closed, the container 1 can be relieved of pressure without having to interrupt the operation of the atomizer. Pressure is relieved by unscrewing the plug 14 from the filling-hole 13, vpressure in the container 1 being allowed to escape 'slowly throughthe leaking threaded portion `of the plug 14. Following the removal of the plug 14 the container 1 can lbe readily filled with material to be atomized through they filling-hole 13. When the fillinghole 13 has again been closed, the shutoff device and consequently, the connecting passage 6 are re-opened, so that pressure is again allowed to build up in the container 1 and the supply of lubricant to the port 4 is resumed.

The shutoff device consists of a valve shownin FIG- URES 4 and 5 on an enlarged scale. The valve cornprises a special housing 15 andis formed `by a ball 16 loaded in closing direction by means of a spring 17 maintained in position by means of a screw 18 inserted in the housing '15. The valve is actuated in the opening direc- 'tion againstthe action of the spring 17 by means of a bolt 19, acting'on the ball 16 and connected with a swinging arm 20. By means of ka splint 21` the swinging arm is pivoted in a bearing support22'f0rmed by two extensions 23 and 24 ofthe housing 15.

According to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, the ball 16 is lifted off its seat by the clockwise rotation of the swinging arm 20, the bolt 19 traversing the housing 15 with an appropriate clearance in order to provide forsuflicient opening of the valve. As appears also from FIG. 5, another bearing support 25 is provided below the bearing support 22 and accommodated in extensions of the housing 15. The swinging arm 20 can be mounted in an inverted position in the said bearing support 25 by means of the splint 21, the ball 16 being actuated bythe counterclockwise rotation of the swinging arm 20.

The housing 15 together with the valve accommodated therein and the swinging arm 20 is secured to the bottom of the atomizer head 2 by means of a screw 26 traversing a bore of the housing 15 vlocated beside the valve and screwed into the atomizer head 2. Inside the screw 26 a bore 27 is provided 'which communicates via a radial duct with the interior of the housing 15, so that the connecting passage 6 extending from the port 4 communicates with the valve located in the housing 15 and in the opening position of the latter via a clearance provided between the bolt 19 andthe housing 15 with the container 1. I

As appears from FIGURES 2 and 3 the housing 15 beside the screw 26 is arranged in such a way that the extremity of the swinging arm 20 is located below the filling-hole 13 for the material to be atomized. Furthermore, the extremity of the plug 14 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with an extension 28 -co-operating with the swinging arm 20. When the plug 14 is screwed into the atomizer head 2, it hits the swinging arm 20 and rotates the same clockwise, thereby lifting the ball 16 of-the valve off its. seat and .releasing communication between i the port 4 and the container 1. When the plug 14 is again unscrewed, it releases the swinging arm 20 so that the spring 17 is free to press the ball 16 against its seat, thereby closing the valve.

Thus the connecting passage 6 is closed without a special step being required for the operation, as soon as the filling-hole 13 is opened and vice-versa, thereby permitting the free re-filling of the container 1 with material to be atomiz-ed without interrupting the operation of the atomizer. In addition, smooth continuance of operations following the refillingy procedure is positively ensured.

-The extremity `of Vthe swinging arm'20 co-operating with the extension 28 of the plug 14 can be made of a flexible material in order to compensate for any inaccuracies that might occur and to ensure positive operation of the valve over an adequate length of stroke.

The connecting passage 6 always extends from the area of the port 4 located in front of the restrictor 5, as viewed in the direction of flow. For the reversal of the direction of flow through the atomizer head 2 a bore leading to the container 1 is provided on the right side of the restrictor 5 and closed hermetically by means of a screw 29 (see FIG. l). When the direction of flow is reversed,vthat is in FIG. l from right to left, the screws 26 and 29.can be substituted one for the other, the housling 15 of the valve being installed upside down and underside up.. so as to beagain located on the side of the screw.26 facing the longitudinal axis of the atomizer. This location of the housing 15 is indicated in FIG. 3 by dotted lines. As shown, the extremity of the swinging arm `20 is again located in the area of the extension 2S of the plug 14. However, the valve is actuated by r0- tating the swinging arm 20 in the opposite sense. For the purpose, the swinging arm 20 is mounted in the bearing support 25 shown in FIG. 5. Since the direction of flow throughthe atomizer is thus readily reversible, the same canalways be attached to a machine or the like in such a manner that the filling-hole for the material to be atomized is easily accessible.

A number of variants of the examples hereabove described and illustrated in and by the accompanying drawing are possible within the scope of the present invention.` In particular, the shutoff device controlling the connecting passage between the port and the container can be designed as a slide valve or the like.

I claim:

1. An atomizer, particularly for lubricants, comprising a container for the material to be atomized, a fillinghole in the container, a plug for the filling-hole, an atomizer head mounted on the container, a port inside the atomizer head, a restrictor in the port and a connecting passage connecting the port in front of the restrictor, as viewed in the direction of flow, with the container, a valve spring-loaded in the closing direction, controlling the connecting passage and actuated in the opening direction by means of a swinging arm upon which the plug of the filling-hole of the container acts with its extremity located inside the container, the said valve being arranged in a special housing secured to the atomizer head by means of a screw, the swinging arm being pivoted on the said housing.

2. An atomizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said valve communicates with the said connecting passage via a bore provided in the screw by means of which the housing ofthe valve is secured to the atomizer head.

3. An atomizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein two bearing supports for pivoting the swinging arm are provided on the housing of the said valve, the swinging arm being attached to one of the said bearing supports as required dependent on the location of the housing on the atomizer head.

4. An atomizer, particularly for lubricants, comprising' a container for the material to be atomized, said container having a filling hole therein, a plug for the filling hole, anatomizer head mounted on the container, the atomizer 5 6 head having a port thereon and a restrictor with a con- References Cited by the Examiner necting passage connecting the port in front of the re- UNITED STATES PATENTS strictor, a valve spring-loaded in the closing direction controlling the connecting passage, a swinging arm upon which the plug of the lling hole of the container acts 5 3,149,698 9/1964 Rlske et al' with its extremity located inside the container and ac- 312135966 10/1965 Vefes et al 239-338 X tuating the valve in the opening direction, and a housing n.

for the said valve and secured to the atomizer head, the M' HENSON WOOD JR Pmnm'y Exammer swinging arm being pivoted on the said housing. V. M. WIGMAN, Assistant Examiner.

3,085,654 4/1963 Friedell et al. 

4. AN ATOMIZER, PARTICULARLY FOR LUBRICANTS, COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR THE MATERIAL TO BE ATOMIZED, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A FILLING HOLE THEREIN, A PLUG FOR THE FILLING HOLE, AN ATOMIZER HEAD MOUNTED ON THE CONTAINER, THE ATOMIZER HEAD HAVING A PORT THEREON AND A RESTRICTOR WITH A CONNECTING PASSAGE CONNECTING THE PORT IN FRONT OF THE RESTRICTOR, A VALVE SPRING-LOADED IN THE CLOSING DIRECTION CONTROLLING THE CONNECTING PASSAGE, A SWINGING ARM UPON WHICH THE PLUG OF THE FILLING HOLE OF THE CONTAINER ACTS WITH ITS EXTREMITY LOCATED INSIDE THE CONTAINER AND ACTUATING THE VALVE IN THE OPENING DIRECTION, AND A HOUSING FOR THE SAID VALVE AND SECURED TO THE ATOMIZER HEAD, THE SWINING ARM BEING PIVOTED ON THE SAID HOUSING. 